Victory Church

I Am Jesus – Part 1, The Good Shepherd, by Lead Pastor Toby Cox

John 10:10-11 (ESV)

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Psalm 100:3 (ESV)

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;[a]

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

1 Peter 5:2-4 (ESV)

2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,[a] not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[b] not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Psalm 23 (ESV)

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.[a]

3 He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]

for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord

forever.[g]

1. The Shepherd PROVIDES.

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

2. The Shepherd RESTORES.

John 14:27 (ESV)

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

3. The Shepherd LEADS.

John 10:3-5 (ESV)

3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

4. The Shepherd SUPPORTS.

2 Timothy 4:16-17 (ESV)

16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.

5. The Shepherd DEFENDS.

John 10:11 (ESV)

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

6. The Shepherd BLESSES.

Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV)

Benediction

20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us[a] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

OUR RESPONSE...Know the SHEPHERD.

John 10:14 (ESV)

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

Marriage – Part 2, Conflict Resolution, by Lead Pastor Toby Cox

Genesis 3:16 (ESV)

16 To the woman he said,

“I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;

in pain you shall bring forth children.

Your desire shall be contrary to[a] your husband,

but he shall rule over you.”

Galatians 5:20 (ESV)

20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,

1. We must have the right attitude.

Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

James 1:2-4 (ESV)

Testing of Your Faith

2 Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose.

Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV)

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[a]

2. We must develop perseverance.

James 1:3-4 (ESV)

3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

3. We must sow good seeds.

Galatians 6:7 (ESV)

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

Romans 12:19-21 (ESV)

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[a] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV)

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

4. We must talk to our spouse first before others.

Matthew 18:15 (ESV)

If Your Brother Sins Against You

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

5. We must seek wise counsel.

Matthew 18:16-17 (ESV)

16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)

17 Iron sharpens iron,

and one man sharpens another.[a]

Proverbs 11:14 (ESV)

14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls,

but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work.

6. We must immediately seek resolution.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV)

26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

Matthew 18:35 (ESV)

35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Matthew 6:15 (ESV)

15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you[a] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

7. We must be willing to sacrifice.

Philippians 2:3-5 (ESV)

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a]

8. We must love our spouse deeply and cover his or her sins.

1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)

5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[a]

Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Marriage – Part 1, The Foundation, by Lead Pastor Toby Cox

Luke 6:46-49 (ESV)

Build Your House on the Rock

46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.[a] 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

1. Love

Colossians 3:14 (ESV)

14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (ESV)

The Way of Love

13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Love is unconditional.

2. Respect

Matthew 7:12 (ESV)

The Golden Rule

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

3. Honor

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV)

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Hebrews 13:4 (ESV)

4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

4. Trust

Proverbs 31:10-12 (ESV)

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

10 [a] An excellent wife who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good, and not harm,

all the days of her life.

5. Communication

A. Know your spouse

1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you[a] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

The 5 Love Languages

Words of Affirmation

Quality Time

Receiving Gifts

Acts of Service

Physical Touch

B. Always speak edifying words

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

C. Practice the art of listening

James 1:19 (ESV)

Hearing and Doing the Word

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

D. Practice speaking less.

Proverbs 10:19 (ESV)

19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking,

but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Greater Love, by Lead Pastor Toby Cox

1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV)

14 Let all that you do be done in love.

We cannot ANTAGONIZE and INFLUENCE at the same time.

~ John Knox

John 13:34-35 (ESV)

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 Corinthians 14:1 (ESV)

Prophecy and Tongues

14 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

WITHOUT LOVE…

All I SAY is ineffective.

1 Corinthians 13:1 (ESV)

The Way of Love

13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

All I KNOW is insignificant.

1 Corinthians 13:2 (ESV)

2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

All I BELIEVE is insufficient.

1 Corinthians 13:2 (ESV)

2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Galatians 5:6 (ESV)

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

All I GIVE is incomplete.

1 Corinthians 13:3 (ESV)

3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.

All I ACCOMPLISH is inadequate.

1 Corinthians 13:3 (ESV)

3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.

LOVE WELL...

1. SERVE them.

1 Corinthians 9:19 (ESV)

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

2. SET AN EXAMPLE for them.

1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV)

Called to Be Holy

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,[a] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)

Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

3. SHARE CHRIST with them.

1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV)

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Preach the gospel, AND IF NECESSARY use words.

~ St. Francis Of Assisi

How I ACT is more important than what I SAY.

James 2:14-17 (ESV)

Faith Without Works Is Dead

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good[a] is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Greater Relationships, by Lead Pastor Toby Cox

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

2 Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[b]

I must CHOOSE my RELATIONSHIPS carefully.

Proverbs 27:19 (TLB)

19 A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.

Relationship choices we have to make...

NURTURE my important relationships.

1 Peter 4:7-8 (ESV)

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

RESTORE my broken relationships.

The pain of an unresolved conflict is greater than the pain of resolving it.

Romans 12:17-18 (ESV)

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

DISCONNECT from my harmful relationships.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)

33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”[a]

START some meaningful relationships.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Relationships that we should develop...

1. My relationship with MY CHURCH.

Ephesians 2:19 (ESV)

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,[a] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

2. My relationship with GODLY FRIENDS.

Acts 2:44 (ESV)

44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

Friendship Is Born At That Moment When One Person Says To Another:

What! You Too? I Thought I Was The Only One.

~ C.S Lewis

3. My Relationship With GOD.

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)

13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.